Forest of Wyrd Session # 17 - Recovery and Rescue

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Gnarl (Wood Gnome 3)
Ranza (Changeling 2)
Hobbs (Hedgefey 3)
Jonesomon (Specialist 3)
Thrax (Fighter 2)

Though now done with the Vernal Manor, the party decided to stick around for one more night. To see if Granya was able to escape. After a resting through the day, they once more settled in a twilight for the house's return. Once it had fully appeared, there was no sign of Granya. So Thrax headed over to the house to see what was afoot. Pearing in the ballroom window, he could faintly see through the opaque leaded glass that the massive party continued. Through the kitchen window he could see a figure he took to be Granya, so he knocked on the door. The door opened a crack, and he could see it was indeed the maidservant. She was quite agitated and upset, telling the fighter to go away. The house was in much too much of an uproar at the moment. She did get the scissors, but dared not try escaping until the Lady Vernal and the household had settled back to some semblance of normal. She also revealed to Thrax that even when she cut the string, the only way she could escape is via the stone, whose guardians worried her. Asked why she just couldn't walk away once the thread was cut, she noted any mortal who'd partaken of the Lady's hospitality were doomed to be trapped in Faerie. The only way out then was via the special magic of the cornerstone. 

Meanwhile, Ranza had been doing a little experimentation outside and discovered the house would only become visible to someone in the clearing at nightfall. And if one left the clearing when the house was visible, it could not be seen upon one's return. When she did this, the rest of the party was amused to see her walk right through the manor walls and come out the other side, for to the changeling the building didn't exist.

Deciding there was nothing they could do for Granya at the moment, the party headed back to Kreland's Ford with their loot. Jonesmon and Gnarl headed for the "Eight Imps and a Bear" tavern to check in with their spy Cemark to get the news. When the duo walked in the door, everyone in the place turned to look at them and suddenly all chatter and drinking stopped. The whole assembly stared darkly at them, and more than a few hands shifted to daggers stuck in belts. Carefully, the two headed to the bar, Jonesonmon plunking down a bag of silver pennies and telling the barkeep he was buying a round for the house. The barkeep pushed the bag back, and suggested it best the two leave if they didn't want bloodshed. They took the hint (and the silver) and left, but not before noting Cemark hiding in the corner doing his best to pretend he didn't know the duo. Gnarl went off to find the others, but Jonesomon decided to stick around and watch, hoping to get to Cemark when he left tavern. Which he did, dragging the clearly terrified Cemark along to the other establishment in town, the "Lazy Unicorn" for a drink and some answers. Cemark explained that word had gotten out about the party's role in taking out the bandits. Given the usual clientele at the  "Eight Imps and a Bear", many of them had been friends of the dead, and some had run with that gang at one time or another. So Cemark suggested the party should watch their backs. And he would do the same, saying now he was done with the party. Pressed about who was 'king of the bandit heap' now that the ogre and his gang were gone, he explained that a group of adventurers (Garath [Magic User], Michen [Fighter], Angus [Specialist], Fraklan [Specialist]) disguised as the 'Monks of the Fallen Fire' were the big name now. Seems they'd looted an ancient temple some time ago and were using the recovered religious accoutrements to disguise themselves and attack/rob travellers along the roads. 

Meanwhile, the rest of the party had taken the paintings and gone to see Thayn Clodwin. He was quite excited to see them, and even more excited to see the two missing paintings. He paid the party their fee with no hesitation. Learning they'd recovered other paintings by the great Cuthbin the Younger, he almost demanded they bring those to him as well to examine and purchase if they proved authentic. The party demurred and deflected for now, headed for the 'Lazy Unicorn' to rest for a few days and discuss options. They were a little worried that the Thayn may stab them in the back somehow, and that selling the paintings before learning more about them might be giving away valuable hints to future treasures. They consulted the quilt of augury regarding the Thayn, it indicated he would not send anyone after them if they left town with the paintings. So while not ruling about a sale to Thayn Clodwin in the future, for now they decided to slip out of town under cover of darkness (to avoid both the Thayn and the bandits), heading for Brakenrae. There they would consult the scholar Timpanius on the paintings. And for Jonesomon and Gnarl, try to intercept the three kids at the Goblyn Fair whom they'd been unsuccessful in rescuing the first time time they'd been in this time and place. 

Travel east was largely uneventful though unnaturally cool for the season. Or at least it was uneventful until they reached to scene of their bandit battle from a week or so before. The massive oak tree had been chopped up and the path cleared, but just beyond was a young man with a shovel, just dumping a final load of dirt on the verge. Glancing around revealed 7 patches of turned earth, each having a stick protruding from it. And on each stick hing a hat or helmet.  When hailed and asked his name, the man/boy grinned and answered "Aeog". They conversation that followed was largely one sided, Aeog responding with single words. And giving little information and grinning the whole time. After a few minutes, Aeog turned to go, raising a hand to forehead as if to tip a hat or tug his forelock. Thrax responded in kind, and the boy wandering off down the road towards Brackerae, soon disappearing from sight. Someone noted they'd killed 7 bandits at this spot, and the piles of upturned earth looked an awful lot like graves. Jonesomon noted one of the helmets last adored the head of one of the bandits. In response, Thrax went around stabbing his sword into each 'grave', hoping to prevent any incipient undead vampires  from rising. And with that, the party opted to turn their backs on the odd scene and continue on their way. 

Reaching Brackenrae and home, they noted activity in the field below town as preparations were underway for the Goblyn Fair. After some time to rest and restock, they visited Timpanius the Scholar. First they received his report on research into the Yellow Cloud Prophet; unfortunately, he had learned little they didn't already know. They also showed him the three paintings to see if he knew anything about them. Being unschooled in art, he could tell them little except the fortress town looked like an Imperium border fort. There had been a number of forts build after the Imperium repulse of the unseelie fey three centuries before; but he couldn't provide any detail on the one in this particular painting. Ranza then hired the scholar once more to investigate the Vernal Manor; looking for more information on it and the Lady Vernal in case they should return to the manor or be pursued by her and/or her minions.

And then plans runed to rectifying their failure some months before; to save the three children (Sim, Alish and Peta) from the ravages of fairy at the Goblyn Fair [see Forest of Wyrd Session #1-3]. And hopefully  murder the tittering fey bastard that had mocked and eluded them at the time . They decided the best thing to do was stake out the ruins and intercept both the children and the fairy. Arriving, they first swapped the fey apples with some regular ones, each pocketing one of the magical apples in case of future need. Gnarl hid in the burned rafters above the fruit bowl, holding a bag of flour and iron filings to dump on their invisible foe. Ranza and Tharax lurked in the bushes nearby, while Jonesomon and Hobbs stood guard at the sage circle fairy gate. The children soon appeared, being led along by a little old man in flashy clothing, performing tricks with glowing lights in his hand. He led them to the bowl, where Gnarl immediately dumped the flour/filings and screamed the children. He also tried to entangle the fey, but curiously it didn't work, even though the wood gnome was certain it would. As Ranza and Thrax charged in with more flour and filings, the creature tried to turn invisible and run towards the sage gate. The flour bombs (as well as a field of flour laid by Hobbs and Jonesomon), however, kept him visible. So the party took some swings and pot shots at him as he ran. But with a last irritating titter, he slipped past Hobbs and Jonesomon, and jumped into the sage circle and disappeared. 

Cursing their bad luck again, the party turned to the children and put the fear of the fairies into them. The three children ran back towards the Goblyn Fair, crying and bawling, and unlikely to ever stray from their mothers side again.  

TOTAL XP
1800xp (Gnarl & Jonesomon: 600xp each; Thrax, Hobbs, Ranza: 200xp each)

GAINS
Some fey apples

KILLS/VICTORIES

none

LOSSES
none

Forest of Wyrd Session #16 - "No Plan Survives Contact with the Enemy"

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Gnarl (Wood Gnome 3)
Ranza (Changeling 2)
Hobbs (Hedgefey 2)
Jonesomon (Specialist 3)
Vergarious (Changeling 2)

After a day of rest and refit, the party once more awaited twilight's end and the return of Vernal Manor. Making their way to the stable, they  met Diamur Without Peer to discuss the plans for the evening. Dimaur Without Peer would arrange a late dinner with the Lady Lhiannan in her private dining room, in a separate wing from the Lady's chambers.  Then once the meal was well underway, they would get Cuthbin away from the Lady's boudoir, grab the paintings from her private gallery and the scissors with which to free Granya, then flee via the gate stone. Hopefully before the alarm was raised, or at least before any organized pursuit could be arranged. Diamur Without Peer had just one issue to raise regarding the plan; Granya would be busy serving dinner. She could  not help get Cuthbin as her absence would raise the Lady's suspicion. He also warned the party that, while he fully intended to hold up his end of the bargain, if it came to a fight he would raise his sword against them to maintain  his own position with the Lady Lhiannan.

With Granya out of the picture, it fell to the changelings Ranza and Vergarious to use their magic to disguise one as Granya's doppelganger and the other to ensure Cuthbin's compliance via hypnotism. The rest of the party would hide in Dimaur Without Peer's rooms to provide assistance/looting as necessary.  Unfortunately, the plan fell apart almost immediately. Cuthbin, upon answering the door, was initially fooled by Ranza/Granya. But the moment she spoke in a voice NOT Granya's, the artist  suspected all was not right. Vergarious and then Ranza tried to hypnotize him, but Cuthbin shook off the magic and started to become agitated and call for help.  Help arrived not as the artist expected,  in the form of  Gnarl, Hobbs and Jonesomon. They charged into the room and beat Cuthbin into unconsciousness, to both shut him up and hopefully break whatever 'link' he apparently had with Lady Lhiannan. They then piled furniture against the door, and everyone started to ransack the room to find the scissors. Gnarl meanwhile tossed back the potion of true seeing and raced into Cuthbin's room and then the private gallery. He noted a secret door leading into Diamur Without Peer's room, and wedged it shut. He then proceeded to grab the five paintings in the gallery, ignoring the vast number of images of a beautiful woman (presumably Lady Lhiannan)  which lay about Cuthbin's chambers. 

Back in the Lady's boudoir, there now came a knock at the door and a high pitched voice. It was  Gyntherium, the atomie chamberlain, demanding to know what was going on. It being apparent to him there was something amiss, within moments he was calling for the buggleburr guards in the upper ballroom. Thankfully, at this point the party found the scissors. Ranza also quickly looted a pair of scrolls and a rug from a chest at the foot of the bed, leaving the not so easily grabbed loose coinage behind. Meeting Gnarl in the next room, they smashed a window and shimmied down a rope to the ground, the still unconscious Cuthbin in tow. Making their way back into the kitchen they hesitated a minute or two. What to do about Granya? But it was soon obvious they could not risk staying to wait for her any longer; the sounds of search and pursuit were drawing near. Wishing to honour their bargain with Granya as much as possible, they gave the scissors to the killomoulis, along with instructions  on how to get back to the mortal realms using the cornerstone gate. Hopefully, Granya could hide the scissors and at some point use them to escape. 

With searchers now drawing near, the party made their way with haste to the gate in the cellar.  There they found the crysmal they'd bypassed the night before, sitting there waiting for them. And then a second one emerged from the gate stone; they had two guardians to fight.  They started to battle them, but several hard blows to the party and sounds of searchers in the kitchen above forced them to take a chance. Each pushed past the guardians to touch the stone, but only after Gnarl has used an entangle to slow the crysmal pursuit. Everyone touched the gate, and found themselves once again back in the mortal realm at sunrise. Turning to look at their captive artist, they were not particularly surprised to see him wither away, falling to dust and bone is a matter of moments. It would seem that Cuthbin the Younger's extended years did not extend into the mortal realm. 

TOTAL XP
7500

GAINS
Painting - Pastoral with fey #2 [500sp]
Painting - Pastoral with fey #3 [500sp]
Painting - Sarcen thayn riding through woods with retinue [500sp]
Painting - Ominous black and blue sky over a fortress town [500sp]
Painting - Glittering tomb of an Imperitor  [500sp]
Quilt of Augury 
Scroll - Protection from Petrification
Scroll - Protection from Lycanthropes 

KILLS/VICTORIES

none

LOSSES
Cuthbin the Younger

Forest of Wyrd Session #15 - Diamur Without Peer

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Gnarl (Wood Gnome 3)
Ranza (Changeling 2)
Hobbs (Hedgefey 2)
Beck (Fighter 0) [NPC]

Rousing the 'guards', the party themselves settled down for the day to catch up on their rest. When evening began to fall, they roused themselves and prepared to re-enter the  manor and continue the search for the paintings. Thrax, Vergarious and Jonesomon were reluctant to return so quickly, and opted to stay at the encampment. Worried about having an under-strength party, Ranza made an offer to the guards; a half share of any treasure from this entry into the manor if they would come along to help. Agnar was adamant he would go nowhere near the &%$@*& cursed place; but Beck signed on for gold and glory.

When night fell, the manor returned as before. This time the party started with the outbuilding they'd previously bypassed. It proved to be a stable (faintly lit within) and what looked to be the grooms quarters. They found little in the quarters; it was sparsely furnished and equip, and obviously unoccupied for quite some time based on the cobwebs and dust. However, in the stable itself they could hear animals. Entering, they observed, by the light of a lantern by the door, three animals. A pair of well fed and well kept ponies in one stall, and a magnificent blue-black horse in another. The stable was otherwise empty except for straw, tack and harness. And very well looked after, considering there appeared to be no stable boy. Gnarl went over to the horse and offered a handful of dried apples from his rations. The horse licked these, an Gnarl was surprised to find it left a sheen of frost on his hand from it's unnaturally cold breath. He also noted the very finely crafted tack and harness hanging nearby; this was obviously the horse of a very well-to-do individual. 

This got Hobbs all excited, and he scurried over to their camp to grab the saddle of  domestication. With Gnarls help, he got this on the horse and climbed up into the saddle. The horse was quite OK with this, and the hedgefey gently rode his mount out of the stall and then out through the stable doors. Where he was immediately confronted by a tall, slim figure dressed in mail and helm, and with a sword in its hand. Hobbs immediately got the whiff of fey from the figure, who now drew a dagger that burst into flames with his other hand, and then spoke; "I think it best if you leave my horse and go on your way". At which point, Hobbs drew his own sword and charged, Ranza, Gnarl and Beck following up in support. Things went downhill rapidly; Gnarl entangled the figure, but it swallowed a potion and broke the hold. The figure then colorsprayed the three on foot and knocked them unconscious. Then it became a battle royale between he and Hobbs, who called on his badger heritage to go into a heroic rage and charged at the figure multiple  times, landing multiple blows. The figure fought back with spells and sword, effectively fighting to a draw. The figure then took the opportunity during a pause in the action to go stand over Ranza and press the tip of his sword against the back of her neck. "I suggest you lay down your weapons and return my mount, or your companion dies". He press a little harder with the sword, drawing blood, to reinforce his point. 

Hobbs, seeing no other way out, complied. The horse returned on it's own to the stable (after Hobbs removed the saddle of course; it wasn't part of the deal) just as the other three regained consciousness. The figure, with great dignity and respect, now bowed to Hobbs. Congratulating the hedgefey on his fighting skill, he introduced himself as Diamur Without Peer, a lord of the twilight realm. Would Hobbs and his companions join him for a drink in his rooms? He wished to learn more about them and their purpose here at Vernal Manor. The party agree, and Diamur Without Peer led them around the manor to the main doors, then upstairs and through an empty (except for four large bat eared goblins sitting at a table) ballroom, to his own well appointed chambers. Pouring them each a glass of some strange green wine, they sat down to talk. Over the course of the conversation, the party learned some interesting information:

• He is at the manor courting the lady of the house, Lhiannan Vernal. He is unfortunately competing for her attention with another, a mortal painter by the name of Cuthbin the Younger [party suppressed eyebrow rise at the news the supposed long dead painter is alive and well and in the house]; 
• Lhiannan is some sort of fey muse, to whom the artist is bound, unable to leave of his own will. Of her powers, Diamur Without Peer was vague (did not want to give the party information which could be used to harm her) but he did note she is selectively invisible, allowing herself to be seen only by those she chooses. Questioned further on her nature, he noted that she is corporal and quite powerful in her own right; 
• He would be quite happy if Cuthbin were out of the picture, but is reluctant to do anything himself for fear of earning his lady's wrath;
• Questioned about the paintings, he noted the house is full of artwork (pointing to paintings on his wall as examples). The two the party is looking for, and most of the rest of Cuthbin's work, are located in Lhiannan's private gallery, part of her suite of rooms which he then described to them; 
• Asked about servants, he noted there are only two in the house. The fairy chamberlain Gwrtheyrn,  and a human maidservant Granya. Pressed further, he noted Granya was actually a changeling, kidnapped as a baby and brought to the manor to serve her Ladyship;
• Asked about the gate-stone, he noted that it allowed the Manor to exist in both the fey and mortal realms at the same time. Unfortunately, with the actual manor in the mortal realm destroyed, the house and it's fey inhabitants could no longer move freely into the mortal realm. The nightly appearance of the house was more a matter of the twilight realm 'overlaying' the mortal realm now.  

Digesting and discussing all of this, the party and Diamur Without Peer came to an understanding. He would find a way to get Lady Lhiannan away from Cuthbin for awhile, and the party would then sprint him away and back to the mortal realm along with, if at all possible, the paintings they sought. In return, apart from whatever artwork they could get away with, Diamur Without Peer offered them his friendship and alliance in times of need (sealing the pledge with a strange teardrop shaped amulet on a gold chain). It was agreed the party would return the next night to put then plan in action.

Meanwhile, they went to look for Granya to get information from her. And so Ranza could size her up, as the plan they were hatching involved the party changling disguising herself as the maid servant. They returned to the kitchen to wait for her. Granya arrived some time later, looking disheveled and tired, carrying an overloaded tray of dirty dishes, bottles, and glassware. Startled by the party's presence, she dropped the tray with a crash. As Gnarl gallantly helped her clean up, he struck up a conversation. Granya confirm what Diamur without Peer had told them. She did most of the scutwork around the manor, helped only by two killmoulis (she pointed to the rafters where two odd looking little fae with long noses peered down at them). It was a busy job, as there were always guests; people came and went continuously, and they had free run of most of the house except for the Lady Vernal's chambers. Asked why she stayed, Granya laughed and showed them a silver thread around her waist. She was bound to the manor, and could only leave if the thread was cut by the silver scissors kept in Lady Vernal's chambers. When asked, Granya was reluctant to help the party too directly, as she  feared Lady Lhiannan. But she would help as best she could if they agreed to get the scissors, cut her free, and take her back to the  mortal realms.  

By this time, Granya had to gather another round of food and drink for the guests and then left the kitchen. As the party prepared to head into the cellar and ensure the gate would bring them back to the mortal realm again, one of the killmoulis climbed down and lopped over the Gnarl. He patted the wood gnome on the arm and handed him a small leather bag before climbing back up again. Inside were a small handful of silver coins, reward for treating Granya well. 

Down to the cellars and the gate, the party was perturbed to find another crysmal emerge from the gate stone. But they fought it only briefly this time, just long enough for Gnarl to entangle it so they could slip past, touch the stone and return the the mortal realm just as the sun was rising. 

TOTAL XP
552

GAINS
26sp
Tear-drop Amulet (250sp) 

KILLS/VICTORIES

none

LOSSES
none

Forest of Wyrd Session #14 - Vernal Manor

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Gnarl (Wood Gnome 3)
Ranza (Changeling 2)
Hobbs (Hedgefey 2)
Thrax (Fighter 2)
Jonesomon (Specialist 3)

Having cleared out the bandit nest, the party roped up their 5 prisoners and returned to Kreland's Ford, first taking a detour to the satyrs fountain to take the cure and heal their wounds. Reaching the town, the turned four of the prisoners over Thayn Clodwin (who promptly had them hanged on the market green). The party choose to keep one prisoner, a fellow by the name of Cemark. They spared his life and gave him money to cover his bar tab [25sp] at the 'Eight Imps and a Bear' for awhile with the understanding he would report any interesting rumors and gossip he learned. Particularly about bandit activity. They also dismissed three out of five surviving men-at-arms. The other two  (Agnar & Beck) accepted an offer from Ranza to remain on the payroll to help guard camp, Feedbag and the wagon, and other related tasks over the next few weeks  [100sp each, half up front and half at end of employment].  

Work done in town, the party packed up and followed the Thayn's directions to the ruins of Vernal Manor just a few miles west of town. They found it easily, but were disappointed there was absolutely nothing of interest. Just an overgrown field. Closer examination and architectural sleuthing by Jonesomon and Hobbs did uncover the barest foundations of a large "U" shaped manor and scattered signs of its destruction 50 years before (burned wood, broken stone, etc). There was one section, partly overlapping with the manor, which was sunk a foot for so lowered the rest. Even closer searching uncovered a strange stone  sticking just and inch or two above the turf; a slick smoky quartz which Gnarl noted was not natural to this area of the Forest. With no other obvious signs, the party started digging around it. It took all day digging down through the tumbled remains of the manor before the base of the stone was found. It was sitting on a packed earth floor, best guess a cellar or other storage room that once sat below the manor. The stone itself was vaguely egg shaped, 15' tall and 20' in diameter. But there were no marking or other signs of what it could be. 

By this time it was getting dark so the party started to set up camp for the night. And then they noticed something strange. As darkness fell, there started to appear the faintest hints of a structure over the ruined foundations. At deepest twilight and just before full darkness, there was suddenly an apparently very real and substantial manor standing in the once empty clearing. Leaving Agnar and Beck to watch the camp,the party approached. In several windows light could be seen, although little detail was visible inside through the thick leaded glass. There was a small outbuilding, a shed or stable, nearby as well. And there was a door, which the party now approached. Touching the wall, they confirmed was indeed solid and substantial. And then with Thrax leading the way, they opened the door and headed inside (doubling checking after they did that their campsite and hirelings could still be seen through the open door.)  

They found themselves in a substantial kitchen, with a row of cooking hearths along the south wall, tables and counters crowded with pots and pans, dishes and cup, and some prepared food. Thrax tried the dried meats and a bowl of stew and pronounced each quite good. A set of stairs led down to what appeared to be a cellar, but the party first went to check on the other side of a door that seemed to lead deeper into the manor. This opened into a hallway, which contained several other doors. Choosing the nearby double doors, everyone stopped to listen. Hearing nothing, Thrax threw it open. And was surprised to find a loud and lively party underway inside a huge ballroom. Dozens of gaily dressed couples danced to the music of a string quartet and singers, while others mingled among tables overflowing with food and drink. While everyone else peered in from the hallway, Thrax started to make his way to the music, hauling out his harp in the hopes of joining in. But he was intercepted along the way by an unnaturally beautiful elfin woman, who invited him to dance with her. This he did (poorly). He felt a momentary sense of enchantment which passed, somewhat to his dance partners disgust. But that too passed, and she engaged the gangling fighter in conversation. He gleaned that time had no real meaning to her, which  seemed to confirm they were now in the twilight realm of the fey. Upon questioning, she indicated the owner of the manor was her Ladyship, Lhiannan of House Vernal.  By this time Hobbs had moved into the room, and likewise was approached by a dance partner. He brushed her off bruskly while likely forcing back a feeling of enscrollment. The badger continued to be rude, which brought the attention of the rest of the party goers. A dozen men stepped forward and drew rapiers, approaching Hobbs menacingly. Not liking the odds, both Thrax and Hobbs retreated out the door and closed it behind them. But opened it once more to confirm the party was still underway and that it was not simply on a programed 'repeat' of the same scene observed originally. 

Done with dancing, they headed for another door further down the hallway. Listening this time revealed the sound of someone mumbling to themselves inside. Once more,the door was flung open. Inside the walls were lined with shelves covered in brick-a-brak (shells, junk glass objects, rocks, etc) Facing the window was a red velour divan on which sat, back to the door, a wizened little man in a red silk robe drinking a cup of tea. Hearing the door open her turned and said “Would you like a cup of tea?” Thrax, once more first in the room, declined, and started to ask him questions. But the little man became more and more insistent that the fighter share a cuppa with him, until finally exploding in rage with a guttural scream. Thrax, choosing caution over valor, retreated from the room and closed the door behind him. Just in time as he heard the sound of the teapot crashing against the door. He was also stunned by the man's growling, standing there in the hallway dumbfounded. Hobbs, his dander up again, pushed forward and launched himself into the room and at the little man. And intercepted a hurled cup of boiling hot tea with his face. But Ranza and Gnarl joined him, leaving Jonesomon to look after Thrax in the hallway, and a short vicious fight ended with the tea man dead. Thrax, now recovered, stripped the robe from him and dumped the body in the fireplace. Upon donning the robe, he noted there was now a pot of good sweet tea (the kind he liked) hidden in an inner pocket. Neet!

Finding nothing else of real value (and no paintings, which was their ultimate purpose in the manor), the party instead took the divan and hauled it out to Agnar and Beck, before returning to the kitchen (where they noted someone or something had cleaned up Thrax's dirty dishes) and heading down to the cellar. There they found it bursting with supplies of food and drink. And after some careful investigation, Ranza found something unusual. One of the supporting pillars was more than twice as wide as the others. And hidden in the side was a small lever. She pulled it, and the face of the pillar opened a crack. Prying it open more uncovered a narrow passage. Forming up in line, Thrax once more led the way and in they went. The passage was short and led into a large, very rough chamber. And there in the centre stood the weird quartz stone they'd dug around earlier that day in the 'mortal' realm. But this time the 'smoke' in the stone appeared to swirl and move, and a very faint light emanated from the surface. And then all of a sudden something, else emerged from the surface. A creature, seemingly made up of a mass of quartz crystals. It  lurched toward Thrax and lashed out with a very hard and sharp crystal 'arm'. The rest of the party crowded in behind the fighter to support him, but their attacker was very difficult to damage given it's solid rock structure. But luckily it managed very few hits on Thrax before Ranza finally struck it a mortal blow, causing the creature to collapse in a spray of rock dust and shattered crystal.   

Kicking the debris aside for now, Gnarl went over the the stone and touched it. And suddenly the whole party found themselves standing back in their encampment, looking down at Agnar and Beck curled up asleep on the divan and with the sun just rising to the east ... 

TOTAL XP
700

GAINS
20sp bounty
1 red velour divan [125sp]
Robe of Refreshment [100xp]

KILLS/VICTORIES

The Tea Man
1 Crysmal

LOSSES
none